Hearing loss decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss to ensure that a proper initial adjudication is made considering evidence not previously considered.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that it is at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma sustained during active service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure and current diagnosis are credible and consistent with his service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board granted service connection for hearing loss and an effective date of April 19, 2022, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for GERD. The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and back disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction. Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disorder, headaches, and dizziness. The TDIU claim was dismissed as moot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss based on the results of a May 2024 VA examination.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the service connection of various conditions related to lung cancer, including scars, pain, and hearing loss, but denied an earlier effective date for non-small cell lung cancer itself.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also remanded the increased rating claim for lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied TDIU and DEA prior to June 26, 2022 but granted SMC effective April 21, 2023.

The appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but remanded other claims related to obstructive sleep apnea, bladder condition, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder disability.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied service connection for heart disability and prostate cancer.

The Board granted service connection for a neck condition and a left shoulder condition, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for an acquired psychiatric condition and a heart condition were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating, finding no evidence of entitlement to service connection prior to December 21, 2023, and that the current ratings were appropriate based on the medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for DMII, diabetic retinopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension but granted an effective date of March 17, 2022, for the award of service connection for migraine headaches and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, deviated nasal septum, and kidney stones while denying service connection for hearing loss, dyspepsia, left thumb ganglion, right wrist pain, left wrist pain, and allergic rhinitis. The Board also granted an increased rating of 30 percent for tension headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, neck and throat pain and spasms, melanoma and melanosarcoma, skin rashes and abnormalities, hyperthyroidism, a sleep condition, and head pain as the evidence did not support that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.